![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 24 to 48 of 48. Go back in thread:
Posted by illb on September 28, 2000, at 14:26:25
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by Ken on May 20, 2000, at 3:36:02
> I would like to add my side of the story for those of you wondering about the effects of zoloft and marijuana mixed together.
>
> During high school a couple of my friends kept boasting about how excellent the two drugs were in combination. I was experiementing with LSD around this time and upon hearing this, I was sceptical. One weekend the four of us decided to get together at my friends lake cottage and test it out. We each took about five pills. After only thirty minutes and one joint it was clear that we hadn't just smoked marijuana.
>
> As the sun set and the night took over things only grew more and more surreal. And of course we continued to smoke. Two hours later and feeling (physically, not mentally) like what I thought was probably like a cocaine high (never tried it)
> we all agreed that we were, without a doubt experiencing some sort of psycedelia. However far different than LSD, or hallucigenic mushrooms. Odd in it's own way.
>
> Visually things grew more and more defined and my friends and I started talking less and less. Reality and my imagination seemed to join hands. It seemed that any image in my head would soon try to enter my visual field. After another hour as I hit the bowl of marijuana and passed it to my friend, off in what appeared to be the distance, a figure formed in the sky of the tent. When I finally made it out, it swooped over the top of my head. A TERADACTOL!!! It was only the size of my hand. I laughed out in amazement. Not a bit scared and totally knowing what caused the hallucination. I told my friends who were all locked in there own separate worlds. I didn't get much more of a response than whaooo!! but I knew they completley believed me and could tell they were experiencing similar things.
>
> As my trip continued more and more teredactols formed and swooped right passed me. They looked and flew just how you see them on television, but only 20 times smaller. Then bats joined and in and rapidly flapped around the tent. Bugs and spiders quickley formed all over the tent ceiling and would crawl over the top of my head where I was laying and then fell on my face. I could feel them! Taking a glance away I could see my friends hesterically laughing as swatting away there own hallucinations. We all went into trance.....
>
> After that I have no memory of the rest of that night. Neither do my friends.
>
> The next evening was even more bizarre, but that' s a different story.
>
> In conclusion, I didn't tell this story to promote this drug interaction. I am actually against doctors prescibing Zoloft and other anitdepressants (in a lot of cases). For those of you who made previous posts bragging about how you are taking zoloft prescripition and frequently smoking marijuana at the same time, I worry for you sincerely. This is not a mind alteration to enter on a regular basis.That would be the road to serious mental illness. I urge all Zoloft users to try to get off of it. If that can't be done now, then I don't recommend frequent mixing of it with ANY other drug. Chances are you are taking Zoloft for some sort of mental problem, and I guarentee abuse of this powerful and very underestimated psycoactive drug will only make things worse for you in the end.I was just wondering if zoloft, birthcontrol and stacker2 is going to make me loose my minD/
Posted by KarenP on October 6, 2000, at 9:12:20
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by illb on September 28, 2000, at 14:26:25
I have been taking Lustral as Zoloft is known in UK on and off for over three years. I was admitted to a local in-patient hospital three weeks ago and while there was seriously advised not to smoke any cannabis at all while on these drugs or while depressed. A number of people in the hospital with me were there due to paranoia bought on by cannabis addiction. Don't get me wrong I've smoked for well over 12 years but have found my anxiety has begun to reduce since stopping (no mean feat in itself actually). I would discourage the use of any other mood altering substances legal or otherwise whilst trying to stablise yourself mentally.
Posted by pullmarine on October 11, 2000, at 22:24:59
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by illb on September 28, 2000, at 14:26:25
Sorry, but this post goes to show that you just can't believe evrything you read and hear.
john
> > I would like to add my side of the story for those of you wondering about the effects of zoloft and marijuana mixed together.
> >
> > During high school a couple of my friends kept boasting about how excellent the two drugs were in combination. I was experiementing with LSD around this time and upon hearing this, I was sceptical. One weekend the four of us decided to get together at my friends lake cottage and test it out. We each took about five pills. After only thirty minutes and one joint it was clear that we hadn't just smoked marijuana.
> >
> > As the sun set and the night took over things only grew more and more surreal. And of course we continued to smoke. Two hours later and feeling (physically, not mentally) like what I thought was probably like a cocaine high (never tried it)
> > we all agreed that we were, without a doubt experiencing some sort of psycedelia. However far different than LSD, or hallucigenic mushrooms. Odd in it's own way.
> >
> > Visually things grew more and more defined and my friends and I started talking less and less. Reality and my imagination seemed to join hands. It seemed that any image in my head would soon try to enter my visual field. After another hour as I hit the bowl of marijuana and passed it to my friend, off in what appeared to be the distance, a figure formed in the sky of the tent. When I finally made it out, it swooped over the top of my head. A TERADACTOL!!! It was only the size of my hand. I laughed out in amazement. Not a bit scared and totally knowing what caused the hallucination. I told my friends who were all locked in there own separate worlds. I didn't get much more of a response than whaooo!! but I knew they completley believed me and could tell they were experiencing similar things.
> >
> > As my trip continued more and more teredactols formed and swooped right passed me. They looked and flew just how you see them on television, but only 20 times smaller. Then bats joined and in and rapidly flapped around the tent. Bugs and spiders quickley formed all over the tent ceiling and would crawl over the top of my head where I was laying and then fell on my face. I could feel them! Taking a glance away I could see my friends hesterically laughing as swatting away there own hallucinations. We all went into trance.....
> >
> > After that I have no memory of the rest of that night. Neither do my friends.
> >
> > The next evening was even more bizarre, but that' s a different story.
> >
> > In conclusion, I didn't tell this story to promote this drug interaction. I am actually against doctors prescibing Zoloft and other anitdepressants (in a lot of cases). For those of you who made previous posts bragging about how you are taking zoloft prescripition and frequently smoking marijuana at the same time, I worry for you sincerely. This is not a mind alteration to enter on a regular basis.That would be the road to serious mental illness. I urge all Zoloft users to try to get off of it. If that can't be done now, then I don't recommend frequent mixing of it with ANY other drug. Chances are you are taking Zoloft for some sort of mental problem, and I guarentee abuse of this powerful and very underestimated psycoactive drug will only make things worse for you in the end.
>
> I was just wondering if zoloft, birthcontrol and stacker2 is going to make me loose my minD/
Posted by Trippin981819254 on November 3, 2000, at 15:20:49
In reply to Re: Zoloft & Marijuana, posted by saint james on May 11, 1999, at 15:44:20
> > In the meantime, if you don't wish to inhale, you might want to investigate the cannabis analog Nabalone that was developed several years ago by the Eli Lilly Co. It is commonly prescribed to cancer patients to alleviate symptoms of nausea and evidently does not produce the euphoria that is common to marijuana. However I would strongly urge you seek the counsel of your attending physician in assessing whether or not this is a viable option for you . I honestly cannot advise you about this one way or the other since I completely lack any medical knowledge.
> >
> > Hope the preceding has been of some help to you.
>
> James here...
>
> The only problem with Maranol and others is that THC is the only thing in pot studided and Pot has many unknown substances. I know a number of AIDS people who have tried Marinol and find it to be not like pot and prefer pot (smoked) because it improves mood and the most important issue, nausea
> hunger, ect. It seems really silly to give someone a "Pot Pill" when they can't keep anything down, esp when ypou can just smoke it, avoiding the GI totally.
>
> I smoke pot from time to time and my doc knows. If I am doing well mentally it is enjoyable but
> I have learned if I am in a depression I can start me continually mulling over the same depressive thoughts.
>
> I feel the biggest problem with pot is it legal status. Other than that moderation is the key. Excessive pot smoking will leave you apethitic all the time.
>
> jI've been smoking marijauna for 32 years and have been suffering for 34 years from an illnes that top military doctors could not treat and attribute a longer and healthier life to smoking marijauna. I have not suffered from any ill side affects from smoking, aside from brief periods of over-party burn-out. I dont think that they will ever develope a pill that will be as effective as smoking a joint. Aside from the debate over each pill delivering an accurate dosage for the buzz one wants versus a dosage for an intended treatment all this is really mind-boggleing.
I've also had the misfortune of being a casualty in the war on drugs thrice and I say that it is time for all of us to rise up against this governmental slaying of our rights to smoke marijauna and bring this harmless weed back into our society.
Posted by Buffet on November 6, 2000, at 15:58:15
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by Trippin981819254 on November 3, 2000, at 15:20:49
I've been smoking marijauna for 32 years and have been suffering for 34 years from an illnes that top military doctors could not treat and attribute a longer and healthier life to smoking marijauna. I have not suffered from any ill side affects from smoking, aside from brief periods of over-party burn-out. I dont think that they will ever develope a pill that will be as effective as smoking a joint. Aside from the debate over each pill delivering an accurate dosage for the buzz one wants versus a dosage for an intended treatment all this is really mind-boggleing.
> I've also had the misfortune of being a casualty in the war on drugs thrice and I say that it is time for all of us to rise up against this governmental slaying of our rights to smoke marijauna and bring this harmless weed back into our society.
--------------
Amen......It's time to rise up and take down those bastard.....uhhhhh....dOOd, I'm so ripped...what was I saying again?....oh yah, pass me the J, I need a...damnit, what was I saying...dOOd im soooooo high... ; )I say keep the stuff under control somehow. If they can make it into a pill, great. Make it a prescription drug. It has some potential for a medicine, but a person without AIDS/cancer/etc doesn't need it. I didn't need it and wish I hadn't had the access to it that I had. It did nothing for me, the key word being nothing. I'm in agreement that the stiff penalties of law against weed should be relaxed, but total legalization is asking for even more social problems than we have today. Look at what alcohol, tobacco, etc have done, and, who is benefiting from the profits? You make it legal, Philip Morris and RJ Renolds will have a heyday!!
Sorry, just ranting somewhat incoherently.
Posted by michie on November 28, 2000, at 21:28:48
In reply to Re: Zoloft & Marijuana, posted by Levi on August 9, 1998, at 1:08:32
Hi, I have a friend who is on zoloft and did cocaine for the first time yesterday. She said she didn't feel any effects from the cocaine, could this be because of the zoloft?
> > I am a 27 year old male who is on 50mg of Zoloft per day. I also smoke
> > >marijuana daily (once a day, small amounts). I am scared to ask my current
> > >Dr. the effects this could have for insurance reasons. The only info I have found
> > >said interaction was highly variable. Can anyone take a moment and elaborate
> > >further on this? I have noticed no effect from the combination, and the
> > >Zoloft seems to be working for the anxiety, or at least reduced it. Any
> > >info would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > >A sincere thanks for your valuable time,
> > >
> > >Joel (North Carolina)> -----------------Joel, I went through the same thing. Smoked everyday, and was on an SSRI a Benzodiazepine(s) and even a neuroleptic. I'll tell you the truth about all this, inasmuch as my experience can be related. I don't know why you take Zoloft. I'm assuming for some affective (depressive condition, or OCD - maybe something else.) Perhaps there are other meds you take perhaps not. I'll deal with the question as I dealt with it. I was Highly addicted to pot. Every day. Years on end. I too took an SSRI, but we diverge because of other meds - but I can still relate what I have come to understand. I, too, was not just a "social" smoker. It was before I did something. And a treat afterwords. Always had a bag - wasn't "bumping" into pot, I was chasing it - basically, and I hate to sound pc - but I think it was, at least when I was closer to and then on meds, a form of self-medication - as you have already pondered extensivelly, I assume. In truth, there were benefits to smoking while on a med (The Docs won't like it, but I'll limit to an SSRI, for in the beginning that's pretty much what was happening.) Cocaine, which I have always thought of as "evil" (I won't mention my actions) is the perfect antidepressent - even Freud was caught up in it - but he had his head in a whole - PUN intended. Pot can turn a mediocre, average, boring "brain state" into a new insight, a new exitement, a relief, a "clearer" perspective - It goes on, as you well know. I stopped - after many, many years of everyday usage. I was not any other "heavy" user of anything else - but I always had a bowl and weed. After, say, a year of being off pot I got positive responses from people who knew me when I was smoking, who noticed the difference. I too notice a difference - now there is 2 questions - Do I give a damn if someone says I'm "better" now? Also, what about my internal state. On this I'd like to say that there are things that I cannot do, or understand in depth as I could on while I was smoking. Anybody who demands that pot dulls the brain and ceases creativity is either a moron who has no history of use, or some know-it-all who is an"ex" user and has to justify his life by fighting pot promotion,etc. I'm neutral. My case is, of course, different than yours. Feelings aside, if you are accomplishing something that is productive - which helps you or your family or friends - could be money, could just be charity - than tell the NA people to screw off. Tell them to screw off anyway - I had minimal contact and they are a cult, although I guess some people benefit from it - good if they can. On a different note, if you are "stuck" in a pot "rut" (you understand) and you look carefully and see that you are not doing what you want or think you should be doing, and then attribute this limitation to smoking, then I think you should take the issue as a benefits/disbenefits spectrum. When one has more associated disbenefits, then one can say that the smoking is habit, the person wants to stop (but really doesn't) - it has become rote. Taking Zoloft every day/night is also rote. But it's benefits are strong enough to warrant the usage. With the addition of pot, it could be working better - although this is not "scientifically" "proved" and no MD. is going to endorse it. The question is - how do YOU feel about the combination. Perhaps like me. I got benefits from both the med and the pot. But I got this constant "we can't really get a clear picture of 'what's going on' because smoking pot is interfering." From all sides!! My diagnosis could not be clear because symptoms of pot in many ways mimic symptoms of a "psychiatric" disorder. Perhaps they are contributing to the disorder, perhaps they are helping. The POINT is that you don't know (I'm speaking as if I am you) - and you can't come to any "valid" conclusions concerning disorder, addiction, medication, life circumstances when you don't know if the pot is good or bad. Tha's why I quit. Now Ican say I have this brain Disease...My Brain goes like this, etc. - and I have the relief of leaving pot Out of the picture - and that, to me is a comfortable thing. The pressure is gone - and its relief just a different relief from the effects of smoking. This is respectable relief - not that I live by what is or is not "respectable". But it does say something. Disorders and pot don't work - even though I still stand by my neutral position. It just makes the situation clearer and gets pressure off your shoulders.
> I never thought I could quit. It took about 3-4 mos. before I started to "forget" that I smoked pot. From then on, It was easy, or at least not so difficult. BUT - there is one point that everybody makes and I, myself, must agree - don't be around people WHEN they are smoking. If they come to your house stoned, good for them. But don't look at it, or smell it, or be near a bowl, bong, or joint. This, I think, is a real Rule in order to succeed. If you chose to quit, you obviously have your own personal reasons. But it sucks in the begining, but you will notice the "laziness" of smokers - even though they may be creative, fun, productive hippie or yuppie whatevers. If you say "some day I'll quit - I'm not ready" don't quit!! Believe what you say. When you are ready you will quit. The best advice: just quit and get the damn thing over with. If you honestly feel that it is more of a negative than a positive - than take the giant, quite (initially) depressing leap, and hands off. But watch out for the cults like NA - a pot smoker doesn't usually need that crap. One more thing, perhaps there is a medication that will, so to speak, fill in the 'gap" if you quit. I know many people who quit and end up being prescribed legal addictive, controlled substances. You are supervised by your Doc, and its legal - and, most importantly, you may feel that one or another Med is just what you needed...
Posted by CraigF on November 29, 2000, at 12:20:04
In reply to Re: Zoloft cocaine, posted by michie on November 28, 2000, at 21:28:48
Hey michie...
I have found just the opposite. Before taking an SSRI, I never liked cocaine. I felt like I spent to much money for something that made me anxious and sit around grinding my teeth.
On the meds however, with my anxiety and self control both greatly reduced, it's quite hard to control myself around it.
On the topic of pot, I started freaking out big time after three years of smoking due to anxiety problems. SSRIs remove the anxiety and allow me to enjoy the pot like I used to.
Posted by Michie on November 29, 2000, at 20:31:24
In reply to Re: Zoloft cocaine, posted by CraigF on November 29, 2000, at 12:20:04
Well, I guess I am trying to say this...I tried it for the first time, and actually I really didn't feel any different than before I tried it. Does the zoloft reduce the effects of cocaine?
Michie
> Hey michie...
>
> I have found just the opposite. Before taking an SSRI, I never liked cocaine. I felt like I spent to much money for something that made me anxious and sit around grinding my teeth.
>
> On the meds however, with my anxiety and self control both greatly reduced, it's quite hard to control myself around it.
>
> On the topic of pot, I started freaking out big time after three years of smoking due to anxiety problems. SSRIs remove the anxiety and allow me to enjoy the pot like I used to.
Posted by ecuadoriang on March 18, 2002, at 14:59:05
In reply to Re: Zoloft cocaine » CraigF, posted by Michie on November 29, 2000, at 20:31:24
Guys, I'm quite concerned about this. This is how i reached this page. I'm under psych. treatment, taking 150mg of Zoloft, I don't know how much Rivotril and someother medication. I'm smoking pot daily, inhaling cocaine once or twice a week, and even tried inhaling heroin this last weeks. I'm not that much of a drinker, but I do drink (not until geting druk) every weekend. I've felt no side effects, or maybe I haven't noticed them. I read something about a desease that can be caused by mixing drugs with Zoloft.
I would really apreciate if someone could tell me about their experience or knowledge on this subject. Sometimes I get really scared, I don't want to have any attack or something, but since I haven't noticed any reaction, I haven't stopped.
Thank you a lot for reading this!
Ecuadoriang
Posted by jay on March 18, 2002, at 16:58:16
In reply to ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!! » Michie, posted by ecuadoriang on March 18, 2002, at 14:59:05
> Guys, I'm quite concerned about this. This is how i reached this page. I'm under psych. treatment, taking 150mg of Zoloft, I don't know how much Rivotril and someother medication. I'm smoking pot daily, inhaling cocaine once or twice a week, and even tried inhaling heroin this last weeks. I'm not that much of a drinker, but I do drink (not until geting druk) every weekend. I've felt no side effects, or maybe I haven't noticed them. I read something about a desease that can be caused by mixing drugs with Zoloft.
>
> I would really apreciate if someone could tell me about their experience or knowledge on this subject. Sometimes I get really scared, I don't want to have any attack or something, but since I haven't noticed any reaction, I haven't stopped.
>
> Thank you a lot for reading this!
>
> EcuadoriangHi...I wish I had more specific info for you, but you may want to search the web, if possible. I think much of your fear is from all of the "scare" tactics and crap used by the antidrug industry, but I would have a bit of concern about the coke and zoloft mix...but that is just ME. One of my drug reference books says it isn't a good mix, but doesn't get into it further. There are others on this board I know of who have dealt with a similar issue.
I use pot on and off with antidepressants, and many else who do, with no problem. I don't know about the heroin, but haven't heard any major drug-crossover concerns with it, but, you should find a very knowledgeable person to talk to. (Can you not mention anything to your family doc? As far as I know, in this case, they are bound by confidentiality. Even so, they usually seem quite good about these things. If you want some help at all with your non-script drug use, there are good docs out there to help. But, it doesn't mean you *must* quit..it is your choice. Considering smoking cigarettes is likely more dangerous in the long run, I hope that adds a bit of perspective.
BTW...what dose of Zoloft are you on, and how long have you been on it for? I would say at the very least, do a few things. Try and not ingest everything at once...spread it out. Your system may be able to handle it a bit easier.
Sorry I can't help more...I am sure there are others on here to offer their own experiences. If you develop any probs, like heart or breathing problems, heck anything really out-of-the-ordinary, goto an emergency room as quick as you can. Try not to increase the doses, or stop suddenly. I'd say the best thing is, you are not much of a drinker of booze!
Best wishes,
Jay
Posted by djmmm on March 18, 2002, at 18:20:46
In reply to ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!! » Michie, posted by ecuadoriang on March 18, 2002, at 14:59:05
mixing cocaine with a SSRI can cause a variety of problems....I guess acutely this combo could cause seizures and serotonin syndrome
...the alcohol and cocaine combo is toxic
You may not feel side-effects now, but you will.
And the disease you are referring to is called Drug Addiction.
Posted by Mitchell on March 18, 2002, at 22:41:15
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!!, posted by djmmm on March 18, 2002, at 18:20:46
>>I read something about a desease that can be caused by mixing drugs with Zoloft.
> And the disease you are referring to is called Drug Addiction.
Of all the causes of drug addiction mentioned in various scientific and speculative sources, I don't recall reading any source that implicates a combination of illicit or prescribed drugs and Zoloft as a cause of addiction. Is that a rhetorical suggestion, or does it refer to a specific study?
Of the drug combinations you mentioned, I would be most concerned about opiates and ethyl alchohol, especially if your are an inexperienced (opiate naive) user. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, as are opiates and opiods. Toxicology studies suggest combinations of CNS depressants and heroin are implicated in far more heroin deaths than is heroin alone. Benzos and other pharmaceutical CNS depressants also appear often in forensic toxicology analyses of opiate and opiod related deaths. Even experienced (opiod tolerant) users often encounter unexpected respiratory depression and even death when alcohol or another CNS depressant is used along with a routine dose of opiates or opiods.
Alcohol and cocaine are frequently mixed with little acute harm, but the combination is also often implicated in acute psychosis. In rather gross anecdotal terms, alchol lowers inhibition while cocaine increases motivation. Motivations that arise while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, either pre-existing motivations, motivations that might relate to the setting in which the drugs are used or physiologically driven motivations that can result from the drugs (such as drug seeking behavior) are implicated in violent behavior. I think the mechanism might be that cocaine increases dopamine levels by blocking re-uptake of dopamine. Increased dopamine levels increase attention to environmental stimuli that would otherwise be selectively ignored. Alcohol further decreases the ability to selectively attenuate responses to an already disordered flood of information. My hunch is that most cocaine problems, like most alcohol problems, result from usage far in excess of a therapuetic dose. As with all (or at least most) illicit drug use, the practice is not accompanied by informed advice about frequency and amount of dosage. On top of the difficult problem of correctly self-titrating an appropriate dose, users encounter economic challenges (insurance never pays for cocaine :o ) and a criminal culture that results from official prohibition. It is often difficult to differentiate between socially induced problems related to these popular medications and problems that result from the medicine itself.
My observation is that various SSRIs and that well-known plant substance that acts on anandamide receptors are a very common drug combination, especially among mid-management level professionals. Regardless official policies purportedly intended to end canabinoid use, I suspect that without this particular combination of legal and prohibited medications in the popular pharmacopoeia, many corporations would have difficulty finding employees who would comply with their expections.
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 18, 2002, at 23:51:03
In reply to ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!! » Michie, posted by ecuadoriang on March 18, 2002, at 14:59:05
Zoloft increases the effects of cocaine, sometimes prolonging its effects to twice as long. There is a street slang term for swallowing a Zoloft pill & then later doing cocaine- it might be "Zoomers"- I forgot. I used to do cocaine on Zoloft, never had any ill effects & it did seem to increase the pleasureable effects, but keep in mind that the fatal dose of pure cocaine is 1.2 grams.
Cocaine plus alcohol metabolizes into cocaethylene which has about double the half life of regular cocaine which increases the pleasurable effects of both. But this combination is more toxic than cocaine itself, especially since the alcohol makes it hard to tell when you are too wired & need to slow down lest you have a heart attack!
The problem with Cocaine is that it clots the blood & causes brain damage- this is probably why there are more hospital admissions & deaths from cocaine than all of the other illegal drugs combined. Its half-life is also too short, so you end up needing a fix all of the time & it is way too expensive. (Amphetamines are safer & much less addictive than cocaine- although street versions of amphetamines/methamphetamines contain harmful chemicals from their illicit production that also cause brain damage & amphetamines are often very impure outside of California- California is know as the source nation for methamphetamine by the DEA!).
The speedball- Cocaine + Heroin is the ultimate bad idea. So many people die from this combo because they can't tell when they've had too much cocaine- the heroin dulls the dysphoric aspects of the "wired" effect of cocaine & so they overdose the cocaine & have a heart attack.
If I were you I would cut the Heroin stuff out before you become another statistic.
To get off the cocaine (if you happen to be addicted) Ritalin (methylphenidate) works very well & except for the nasal numbness shares many similar effects (One street term for Ritalin is "kiddie cocaine"). Ritalin is a superior drug because it has a much longer half life which discourages frequent self administration & is less addictive, & does not cause brain damage & is remarkably non-toxic.
I personally found Cocaine is not the most addictive of all drugs as is often frequently reported in the press. I used Cocaine 10 times on an erratic basis, but never had a feeling of addiction. Back in history, before 1915, when cocaine was legal in the USA there was a much greater problem with morphine & opium addiction than cocaine addiction. It is said that it was banned for racist reasons, that Cocaine made "Black people uncontrollable." In fact, I have found Caffeine to be much more addictive & harder to not take it. Try to go a month without any caffeine- most people couldn't do it. But amphetamines & Ritalin are just as good & much cheaper than cocaine- what's the point of doing cocaine anymore- this isn't the disco glamour era anymore. This is probably why the cocaine trade is waning, & use is way down- all the drug abusers found out that amphetamines & ecstacy are better & last longer & are cheaper- hence the explosion of meth labs all across the country. We are winning the drug war on cocaine by tightening the border security at Mexico but cocaine is being replaced by other (synthetic) drugs anyways.
You'd be best off, just taking your prescribed meds. The Zoloft + Rivotril (Klonopin) is a good combination- with this combo you don't really need alcohol or cocaine to talk to people & have a good time. Just drink an iced tea & say "i don't do that sh*t anymore- that's what I did.
Even pot is bad for you- I heard every line from friends that say the opposite, but in the end my "pothead" friends ended up burnouts with no motivation to do anything except sit on the couch all day & smoke. They even stopped going to class & all failed out of college.
Posted by Ron Hill on March 19, 2002, at 0:19:59
In reply to Zoloft increases duration of Cocaine effects, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 18, 2002, at 23:51:03
Posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 1:49:45
In reply to Now we know how you came by your screen name :) (nm) » 3 Beer Effect, posted by Ron Hill on March 19, 2002, at 0:19:59
I picked the name 3 Beer Effect because I noticed after 3 Beers I felt "normal" for the first time. Sober, I have too much anxiety & have trouble talking to girls. At 3 Beers my confidence level is high, the world seems a better place, I have no anxiety, feel perfectly comfortable, & could engage in long conversations with girls without forgetting there names. 2 Beers or less & I still had anxiety, and from the 4th beer onward my behavior deteriorates until I have no inhibitions at all & act like an idiot.
I tried most of the illegal drugs seeking this same feeling & came across dissapointment. So then I thought "alcohol is like a 3000 year old drug & if it works this well, psychiatrists must have some great stuff at their disposal because of all the technological advances of the last 100 years." Alas, i've tried just about every psychiatric drug & nothing even comes close to this "3 Beer Effect". (right now I take Klonopin, the greatest thing for social anxiety since sliced bread & it doesn't even come close to alcohol).
I haven't drank since September, and am returning to college in the fall- i'll give the klonopin a good trial, but if that doesn't work well i'll probably end up ditching the psychiatric meds & just binge drink on the weekends (like I used to), but somehow work moderation & maturity into there. (My GPA dropped like a rock when I stopped drinking & sought out psychiatric care for depression, but was fine (2.5) before when I was a "party animal" every thursday, friday, & saturday night on par with Jim Belushi in Animal House).
It will be my last year in college, & I've figured out you can't really binge drink outside of college in real life. You can't walk home, & a taxi ride to the suburbs would be too expensive - You would get arrested for DWI or if you were rowdy in a bar you would get thrown out & arrested for public intoxication or drunk & disorderly.
Where I go to college in Austin, TX a cab ride to the famous 6th street bar scene is only $6 for 3 people each way & Austin police are very lenient don't usually arrest people for public intoxication. And if I go to college parties, it seems everyone is getting wasted. Since it is my last year of college, I don't know if I should party it up & then retry all these worthless psychiatric meds after I graduate to a depressing cubicle in some office or just take my meds & not drink which i've found to be very boring & not a whole lot of fun when everyone else around you is getting drunk.
Maybe after I graduate I should just move to England or Australia, where everyone drinks and there is no stigma about it, & there's a pub on every corner!
Posted by Hawkeye on March 19, 2002, at 8:14:36
In reply to ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!! » Michie, posted by ecuadoriang on March 18, 2002, at 14:59:05
You Say: "I read something about a desease that can be caused by mixing drugs with Zoloft."
That disease is called "DEPRESSION".
I assume you are taking the Zoloft for depression. Why bother? If you are going to drink and do coke you will never get well. The booze is a depressant and the coke/poison will totally deplete your head of the "feel good" neurotransmitter dopamine.
I've been there, done that, no more.
Posted by Ron Hill on March 19, 2002, at 9:44:53
In reply to 3 Beers- the best psych med ever!, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 1:49:45
3BE,
I like your sense of humor. I also enjoyed the 3-beer-effect for some of the same reasons you cite. However, since I am BP and since alcohol is a depressant, I usually payed for it the next day(s) with depression. Therefore, I rarely allow myself the pleasure of a beer or the luxury of a nice glass of wine. Oh well, it's not that big of a sacrifice but I do miss the "Three Beer Effect"!
-- Ron
--------------------------------------------> I picked the name 3 Beer Effect because I noticed after 3 Beers I felt "normal" for the first time. Sober, I have too much anxiety & have trouble talking to girls. At 3 Beers my confidence level is high, the world seems a better place, I have no anxiety, feel perfectly comfortable, & could engage in long conversations with girls without forgetting there names. 2 Beers or less & I still had anxiety, and from the 4th beer onward my behavior deteriorates until I have no inhibitions at all & act like an idiot.
>
> I tried most of the illegal drugs seeking this same feeling & came across dissapointment. So then I thought "alcohol is like a 3000 year old drug & if it works this well, psychiatrists must have some great stuff at their disposal because of all the technological advances of the last 100 years." Alas, i've tried just about every psychiatric drug & nothing even comes close to this "3 Beer Effect". (right now I take Klonopin, the greatest thing for social anxiety since sliced bread & it doesn't even come close to alcohol).
>
> I haven't drank since September, and am returning to college in the fall- i'll give the klonopin a good trial, but if that doesn't work well i'll probably end up ditching the psychiatric meds & just binge drink on the weekends (like I used to), but somehow work moderation & maturity into there. (My GPA dropped like a rock when I stopped drinking & sought out psychiatric care for depression, but was fine (2.5) before when I was a "party animal" every thursday, friday, & saturday night on par with Jim Belushi in Animal House).
>
> It will be my last year in college, & I've figured out you can't really binge drink outside of college in real life. You can't walk home, & a taxi ride to the suburbs would be too expensive - You would get arrested for DWI or if you were rowdy in a bar you would get thrown out & arrested for public intoxication or drunk & disorderly.
>
> Where I go to college in Austin, TX a cab ride to the famous 6th street bar scene is only $6 for 3 people each way & Austin police are very lenient don't usually arrest people for public intoxication. And if I go to college parties, it seems everyone is getting wasted. Since it is my last year of college, I don't know if I should party it up & then retry all these worthless psychiatric meds after I graduate to a depressing cubicle in some office or just take my meds & not drink which i've found to be very boring & not a whole lot of fun when everyone else around you is getting drunk.
>
> Maybe after I graduate I should just move to England or Australia, where everyone drinks and there is no stigma about it, & there's a pub on every corner!
Posted by djmmm on March 19, 2002, at 10:05:14
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!!, posted by Mitchell on March 18, 2002, at 22:41:15
I misread the original post (it happens)... I don't appreciate the tone of your response...regardless, you should have understood the point I made....
> >>I read something about a desease that can be caused by mixing drugs with Zoloft.
>
> > And the disease you are referring to is called Drug Addiction.
>
> Of all the causes of drug addiction mentioned in various scientific and speculative sources, I don't recall reading any source that implicates a combination of illicit or prescribed drugs and Zoloft as a cause of addiction. Is that a rhetorical suggestion, or does it refer to a specific study?
>
> Of the drug combinations you mentioned, I would be most concerned about opiates and ethyl alchohol, especially if your are an inexperienced (opiate naive) user. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, as are opiates and opiods. Toxicology studies suggest combinations of CNS depressants and heroin are implicated in far more heroin deaths than is heroin alone. Benzos and other pharmaceutical CNS depressants also appear often in forensic toxicology analyses of opiate and opiod related deaths. Even experienced (opiod tolerant) users often encounter unexpected respiratory depression and even death when alcohol or another CNS depressant is used along with a routine dose of opiates or opiods.
>
> Alcohol and cocaine are frequently mixed with little acute harm, but the combination is also often implicated in acute psychosis. In rather gross anecdotal terms, alchol lowers inhibition while cocaine increases motivation. Motivations that arise while under the influence of cocaine and alcohol, either pre-existing motivations, motivations that might relate to the setting in which the drugs are used or physiologically driven motivations that can result from the drugs (such as drug seeking behavior) are implicated in violent behavior. I think the mechanism might be that cocaine increases dopamine levels by blocking re-uptake of dopamine. Increased dopamine levels increase attention to environmental stimuli that would otherwise be selectively ignored. Alcohol further decreases the ability to selectively attenuate responses to an already disordered flood of information. My hunch is that most cocaine problems, like most alcohol problems, result from usage far in excess of a therapuetic dose. As with all (or at least most) illicit drug use, the practice is not accompanied by informed advice about frequency and amount of dosage. On top of the difficult problem of correctly self-titrating an appropriate dose, users encounter economic challenges (insurance never pays for cocaine :o ) and a criminal culture that results from official prohibition. It is often difficult to differentiate between socially induced problems related to these popular medications and problems that result from the medicine itself.
>
> My observation is that various SSRIs and that well-known plant substance that acts on anandamide receptors are a very common drug combination, especially among mid-management level professionals. Regardless official policies purportedly intended to end canabinoid use, I suspect that without this particular combination of legal and prohibited medications in the popular pharmacopoeia, many corporations would have difficulty finding employees who would comply with their expections.
Posted by fachad on March 19, 2002, at 10:11:55
In reply to 3 Beers- the best psych med ever!, posted by 3 Beer Effect on March 19, 2002, at 1:49:45
Years ago, I had a favorable response to 3 beers and frequently worked with the 3 beer effect.
I ultimately discontinued beers for the same reason I have discontinued so many potentially helpful psch meds - because of the weight gain side effect.
Posted by ecuadoriang on March 19, 2002, at 13:08:23
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!!, posted by djmmm on March 19, 2002, at 10:05:14
Thank you all for your responses. I'm not sure if quitting is the answer, well, maybe I should quit cocaine and heroin, but, not pot! When I started the treatment 150mg Zoloft I stoped using drugs, yes, I felt better, less depressed, but not GOOD. I was making a progress but too slow. I have what Doctors call Panic Attacks, When it happens (it used to be every single night for the las 5 months), to stop it I had to hurt my self, cut my arms, legs, face, pull my hair.. or whatever painfull thing I could imagine at the moment. Those panic attacks didn't totally stoped just with Zoloft, they finally stopped since I returned to pot. I know no Doctor is going to recommend me to stay on this, but I've discoverede that it works for me. I don't really know about the other drugs, which I'm trying to stop, but I think they have caused no harm to me.
If you have any other comments about this subject, I'll be glad to hear about them. Thank you again for reading this posting!
Posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 22:02:37
In reply to Re: ZOLOFT COCAINE MARIJUANA!!, posted by djmmm on March 18, 2002, at 18:20:46
> "You may not feel side-effects now, but you will.
> And the disease you are referring to is called Drug Addiction.
> I don't appreciate the tone of your response...regardless, you should have understood the point I made...."MARK H. HERE FOR DR. BOB:
Please be civil. Please refrain from telling other people what they will experience and what's wrong with them, what you think of their tone, or what they should have understood.
It is OK to talk about your own experiences, but please do so without accusing or assuming.
Thanks for your help!
Mark H.
Posted by cello on February 18, 2004, at 16:34:41
In reply to Re: Zoloft & Marijuana, posted by Mark on May 10, 1999, at 2:32:18
I have been taking zoloft for 8 years. I have also been taking dexedrine for ADD. The issue that I'm having is that I have noticed myself having serious memory loss problems recently, in short-term, long-term, and working memory. I find it more difficult to form long-term memories — things that I have done a half-a-year ago seem more foggy than those that I did 3 years ago. I almost never remember what I did the past weekend, and I find my brain having to exert tremendous effort to work around this problem.
I stopped smoking pot as a result, and haven't smoked for at least 3 months. When I did smoke, it was no more than an average of once a week, though I started smoking about 5 years ago. This much should not cause serious memory loss, as far as I know. When I was smoking, I would not be on my dexedrine, so either the zoloft is causing the memory loss, or the combination of marijuana and zoloft. Has anyone else had these adverse effects with these drugs?
Posted by Chairman_MAO on February 19, 2004, at 7:39:38
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by cello on February 18, 2004, at 16:34:41
It's the Zoloft. Pot once per week could not possibly cause such impairment, and neither does using Dexedrine (what a surprise, heh). Try adding Aricept or Reminyl.
Posted by micro on February 19, 2004, at 12:11:34
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana » cello, posted by Chairman_MAO on February 19, 2004, at 7:39:38
> It's the Zoloft. Pot once per week could not possibly cause such impairment, and neither does using Dexedrine (what a surprise, heh). Try adding Aricept or Reminyl.
Hello, Those were some interesting posts. I could refer you to several resources [if you like] regarding the usage of illicit Psychotropics specifically cannibis.
The following info. can be found at just about every medical site on the web/adverse reactions- paranoia, panic attacks, increased appetite, hallucinations, impaired motor skills, anxiety, depression, just to name a few... Anything is possible when mixing Psychotopics rxed or illicit.
To further your research, consider the following resources pubmed, medline, Jama, New england journal of medicine and if you prefer Psychiatric jounals...Primary Psychiatry ect... Hope this helps you to understand the moa, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, and adverse events more thorougly. Regards, Micro
Posted by martymar25 on May 3, 2005, at 3:46:25
In reply to Re: Zoloft Marijuana, posted by micro on February 19, 2004, at 12:11:34
Wow! It's amazing what you find when you google at 3 a.m. I take 100 mg/day and have been struggling to determine if my daily tokes are helping or harming me. I find that smoking late in the day (long after taking my meds) can be extremely enjoyable and, in fact, more pleasurable than smoking dope was before I began medication because it eliminates the feelings of paranoia that often accompanies my highs. However, after having smoked the previous night, I usually wake up with an enormous amount of anxiety that may or may not be relieved by taking the new day's dosage. This often provokes me into smoking when I wake up (to calm myself) which in turn prevents the medication from relieving anxiety and causes me to have to continue smoking the rest of the day to prevent depression.
Therefore, I have come to the conclusion (remember I'm a psychiatric patient and these are the conclusions of a psychiatric patient) that the combination does not yield: a)a positive reaction or b)a negative reaction. But instead is a matter of self-discipline. It is my personal opinion that this is true of all marijuana users and not just those who take an anti-depressant.
If you are taking zoloft (regularly and correctly), are working diligently at your psycho-therapy, and are a self-disciplined individual who wishes to relax at the end of the evening by getting a little high...I say "go for it, but remember that if you can't control it then you need to quit it".
If you are not taking zoloft correctly and/or are not seeking psycho-therapy (with a complete effort including being honest with your doctor) and/or are not self-disciplined to resist the temptations which will arise...I say "this is a dangerous situation which will almost certainly lead to either severe fluctuations in your anxiety levels or chronic marijuana usage".
This is the end of the thread.
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